Oregon Campus Masters Programs | Graduate Schools

Many accredited universities and colleges offer masters programs in residential, or on-campus formats. Students choose to earn a master’s degree for many reasons including the education demands of certain fields[i], the potential for increase in earning[ii] and continued education. These factors may be why the number of master’s degrees conferred rose by 34% from the years 2003-4 to 2013-14.[iii]With the variety of master’s programs to choose from, there are different elements to consider when choosing a graduate school, as well as different types of master’s degree programs to acquaint yourself with.

Masters Programs: Essentials

Masters programs often require 1 to 2-years of study beyond the Bachelor’s degree, although some universities offer a blended Bachelor’s-Master’s which may affect the duration, and program lengths and course requirements vary by school. Considered ‘higher education’, earning a master’s degree may entail:

Conducting research; learning research methodology

Learning theory and practical applications of your subject

Advanced problem-solving

Critical analysis

Writing a thesis paper

Internship or supervised practicum

Choosing a concentration area

DID YOU KNOW? Of the 754,500 master’s degrees conferred in 2013–14, nearly half were concentrated in two fields: business (25 %) and education (20 %). The three fields in which the next largest percentages of master’s degrees were conferred were health professions and related programs (13 %), public administration and social services (6 %), and engineering (6 %)[iv].

Why Earn Your Master’s Degree on Campus?

Choosing a university or college with a residential or campus masters program instead of opting for online may offer some great feautures:

Choose a Master’s Degree Program: Subject Selection

Historically, the term “master” has meant “mastery”[v] and one can find masters programs in many academic subjects. One thing to consider is what your ideal career outcome (e.g. research or management?) is. You want to work towards a master’s degree that supports these goals, or is a platform to a doctorate degree. GradSchools.com has an extensive directory of sponsored listings. Look under the major headings for sub categories:

Types of Master’s Degree Options: MS-MA-MPS-MBA-MFA-MEd-MPA

Once you have a sense of your potential career path(s) and you are involved in your search, you may notice that different types of masters programs are offered. This will show up in the ‘type’ of master degree as each option tends to have a specific orientation which is going to be reflected in course content and curriculum as well as whether you have a thesis option or not. Once you know what you are looking for, you can filter your search for graduate schools even more. Broadly, a few of the main variations in masters programs are:

Master of Science Degree (MS)

A master of science is commonly awarded in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics fields; sometimes economics and social sciences are included. In some cases, the MS has a stronger research component and may involve more computer or statistics courses.

Master of Arts Degree (MA)

A master of arts is commonly awarded in the arts and social sciences such as education, languages, literature. Instruction is often via lectures and seminars.

Master of Professional Studies (PSM)

A professional master’s degree is usually an interdisciplinary type of master program with courses that could draw from technical, practical and industry-specific business courses.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

A master of business administration is designed to provide students with the broad training in core aspects of business and is often combined with a specialization to tailor the degree to a specific interest.

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

A master of public administration is a similar to the MBA but with a focus of public policy, the public sector, international administration and policy analysis. Related degrees are the Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Public Affairs (MPA), Master of Public Health (MPH).

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

A master of fine arts is a professional master’s degree that is usually awarded in the visual, performing and studio arts such as creative writing, graphic design filmmaking and theatre.

Master of Education (MEd)

A master of education degree prepares students to pursue certification or provides already certified teachers with a graduate degree which may be necessary for specialized fields in education such as administration or special education.

Find a Graduate School with Masters Programs

Once you have found the type of masters programs you want to apply to – there may be more than one – you could look for a graduate school that might meet these academic preferences. You can find accredited universities and colleges by conducting a location search for campus programs by city, state or country. It is a good idea, if you are able, to visit your choice grad schools to get a sense of its community and see if it is a fit. Some campuses are in large urban areas and major cities, others in smaller towns.

Take the Next Step

We recommend that you contact the schools with the ‘request info’ setting. This starts a dialogue, and fills you in on some of the important details such as curriculum, enrollment requirements, and of course, deadlines. With masters programs available in many disciplines, concentration areas and locations, finding a master’s degree program that might take your forward personally and professionally is at your fingertips on GradSchools.com.

The graduate program in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Oregon State University grants primarily PhD degrees, but also offers thesis and nonthesis Masters degrees. We offer a broad range of research topics through the faculty within...

"Students can specialize in the area of Economics of Growth and Change, an area that gives them the opportunity to study productivity analysis, industrial organization, international economics, urban and regional economics, and resource and environmenta...

Environmental Engineering Graduate Program
Graduate degrees (MS, MEng, PhD) in environmental engineering are expected to be approved for the 2009-2010 academic year. Until approved, environmental engineering graduate students will receive deg...

The Bioresource Engineering program serves at the interface of life sciences and engineering. Bioresource engineering is the application of engineering and life science principles and problem-solving techniques to the optimum use and sustainability of b...

After gaining a solid foundation in theory, MS students acquire considerable experience in applied statistics, both in their coursework and as statistical consultants for problems in a variety of areas, including agriculture,biology, forestry, and engin...

The Department of Microbiology offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Major fields of study are diverse and include basic and applied aspects of virology and bacteriology; immunology...

The Department of Zoology offers graduate work leading toward the Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in all areas of biology ranging from molecular to community levels.

The Department of Zoology offers graduate work leading toward the Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in all areas of biology ranging from molecular to community levels...

University of Oregon

The University of Oregon has partnered with the sports product industry's best to offer a first-of-its-kind Master's in Science, Sports Product Management in Portland, Oregon. Come be a part of our pursuit of excellence.

Master of Architecture and Master of Interior Architecture:
Track I – MArch or MIArch, 10 terms
Professional degree program for students who have a non-architectural undergraduate degree. The program is three-years plus one term (or ten terms) in le...

The School of of Journalism and Communication (http://journalism.uoregon.edu/graduate) offers Ph.D. and master's degrees in Media Studies that emphasize both qualitative and quantitative methods and provides resources for research in several overlapping...

The Linguistics program takes a functional/cognitive approach to the empirical study of language, concentrating on fieldwork and language description, including preservation and revitalization of endangered languages; typology; experimental approaches t...

The two year graduate program (Post-Professional MLA Program) leading to the master of landscape architecture (M.L.A.) degree is intended for students prepared to do original work in the field. This preparation may be acquired either by entering the Pos...

School Psychology at the University of Oregon prepares psychologists who work effectively with others in the identification and remediation of social and educational problems with children and adults.
The aim of professional preparation is to develop...

Studies in Music Technology at the University of Oregon are directed toward students who wish to pursue creative careers. The curriculum hinges on the balance between the development of artistic and aesthetic knowledge and the mastery of the technical a...

The Department of Human Physiology offers the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. A distinguished faculty along with high quality research laboratories and academic resources support inquiry into this program.

The friendly, collaborative nature of our department provides a supportive environment for students and faculty members to concentrate on learning and research. The graduate program emphasizes one-on-one faculty-student interactions, provides mechanisms...

The M.A. and M.S. degrees in geography emphasize broad understanding of physical and human geography and basic geographic techniques. Students develop specialized research skills during work on the thesis. Beyond the general requirements for all graduat...

Cognitive Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience:
The University of Oregon has a strong program for training students in Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Systems Neuroscience (the Systems Neuroscience program is described in the section be...

Master of Architecture and Master of Interior Architecture:
Track I – MArch or MIArch, 10 terms
Professional degree program for students who have a non-architectural undergraduate degree. The program is three-years plus one term (or ten terms) in le...

Three advanced degrees are offered in anthropology: the master of arts (M.A.), the master of science (M.S.), and the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.). These degrees entail work in the following sub fields: archaeology, cultural anthropology, anthropological...

The School of of Journalism and Communication (http://journalism.uoregon.edu/graduate) offers Ph.D. and master's degrees in Media Studies that emphasize both qualitative and quantitative methods and provides resources for research in several overlapping...

The graduate program in German, which offers the master of arts (M.A.) and the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees, concentrates on the analysis of literary and critical discourses, such as romanticism, idealism, historicism, psychoanalysis, expression...

The Department of Art History offers programs leading to the master of arts (M.A.) and the doctor ofphilosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in art history with specialization in architectural history, ancient, medieval, Renaissance-baroque, modern, and Asian art. Th...

Our MA and PhD programs prepare students for faculty positions in colleges and universities and for research and policy positions in government, private industry, and the nonprofit sector. The low student-faculty ratio, about two to one, fosters faculty...

George Fox University

Interested in a career of helping others? George Fox’s Graduate School of Counseling, shaped by our commitment to an integrated understanding of the Christian faith and mental health, trains graduate-level clinicians.

Interested in a career of helping others? George Fox’s Graduate School of Counseling, shaped by our commitment to an integrated understanding of the Christian faith and mental health, trains graduate-level clinicians.

Marylhurst University

The MA in Applied Theology curriculum is designed to help students develop individual potential by integrating the study of theology with professional application. Coursework addresses issues of pastoral counseling, liturgy, symbol, scriptural resources...

Master of Arts in Counseling

The Master of Arts in Counseling is intended to prepare Christian counselors with the knowledge, skills, and insight needed to practice counseling in...

Program: Campus

Degree: Master

Portland, OR

Portland, OR

Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity degree program is designed for those engaged in or preparing for vocational ministry, including the pastorate, intercultural se...

Program: Campus

Degree: Master

Portland, OR

Portland, OR

Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies

The Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies degree for students seeking specialized, graduate, theological education.

Program: Campus

Degree: Master

Portland, OR

Portland, OR

Doctor of Ministry

The Doctor of Ministry program is an advanced professional degree intended for persons engaged in some aspect of full-time Christian ministry, such as the pastorate, Christian education, chaplaincy, evangelism, music and worship ministry, and related...

Program: Campus

Degree: Master

Portland, OR

Portland, OR

Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies

The M.A. in Intercultural Studies is for students seeking specialized, graduate, theological education in the area of cross cultural ministry.

Program: Campus

Degree: Master

Portland, OR

Portland, OR

Master of Theology

The Master of Theology at Western provides advanced training in biblical and theological studies to people with a variety of interests: pastors seekin...

The Doctor of Missiology (D.Miss.) is an advanced professional degree intended to aid in the development of leadership for the worldwide Church. The program is designed specifically for people faced with the challenge of socio-cultural c...

Portland State University

The graduate programs in civil engineering at Portland State University (PSU) offer advanced courses in the areas of structural analysis and design, transportation engineering, water resources, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, and pr...

PSU's Ph.D. program integrates practice, policy and research. We offer individualized study of a social problem. Students apply learning through teaching and research practica. Our program prepares graduates for research; teaching; and program developme...

Comprehensive program in environmental science with emphases in both science and management. Research areas include hydrology, water quality, biological indicators, stream ecology, modeling, air quality, environmental economics, invasive species, and en...

Willamette's Full-Time MBA programs are specifically designed to prepare students for their first professional career position, career change or advancement. In just 21 months, Willamette MBA students learn the core principles of general management,...

Oregon Health & Science University

The Biomedical Inforamtics Graduate Programs at Oregon Health & Science University aim to educate the future developers and managers of health and biomedical information systems. The programs prepare students for careers that require a thorough u...

Basic sciences programs that lead to the Ph.D. include coursework and research rotations in which students choose a laboratory and mentor to guide them in their thesis research projects. The M.S. degrees are offered in Public Health and Medical Infor...

The major goal of the masters and certificate programs is to educate the future developers and managers of health care information systems. Individuals with a variety of backgrounds are provided a strong technical grounding in medical informatics, he...

Our inservice programs model professional standards, innovative curricula, and best practices for early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school teachers who want to advance their study. At Lewis & Clark, we invest in expertise and foster deep eng...

Lewis and Clark’s Educational Administration programs prepare aspiring educational leaders to have the knowledge, values, skills/tools and courage to improve teaching and learning. The programs are designed for current teachers and/or program leaders wh...

Lewis & Clark is a leader in the field of K-12 school counselor preparation. We will help you transform students’ lives and their opportunities for learning. We emphasize a democratic, systemic approach to school counseling that gives you the skills to...

THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING is internationally known for its research and education in speech and language technologies, machine learning, adaptive and statistical signal processing, and pattern recognition. These areas...

Multnomah Biblical Seminary

The Master of Arts in Biblical Studies is a two-year program offering a specialization in Bible, biblical interpretation and theology. Working with the original language tools and researching theological topics are central to the program. An emphasis is...

Multnomah integrates a rigorous curriculum in Bible and theology with an emphasis on practical ministry. Each student is involved in community ministry or an internship that is designed to prepare them to be servant-leaders in specialized ministry posit...

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